Stefano Santucci

I’m a documentary wedding photographer shooting in film and analogue based in Florence, Italy. I am also a darkroom artist and printer.

Since 2011, I’ve been fortunate to shoot weddings for high-end productions worldwide, including Australia, Thailand, Morocco, Greece, France, and of course, Italy. My extensive career is well-documented online.

I’m drawn to informal yet curated events with distinct personalities and a healthy dose of chaos.

Born in 1983 in Cremona, a small, foggy town in Northern Italy renowned for its violins, I later moved to Florence in 2002. There, in the heart of Tuscany, I studied nonverbal behaviour and facial expressions in children at the University of Psychology. In 2010, I transitioned from psychology to become a full-time film and digital photographer. The following year, I established my Studio and began traveling and publishing internationally.

I may not know everything, but I trust my instincts and taste. My approach is documentary, which means I don’t pose or fake scenes. Instead, I prefer working behind the scenes and telling a story based on my vision. I don’t consider myself a traditional photographer; rather, I approach weddings differently—without clichés—hoping you’ll be proud of these images in the future because they’re not centered on fleeting trends.

I intentionally keep my studio small, focusing on quality rather than quantity. I prefer to concentrate on a few events and pay attention to small details.

I’m easy to work with, well-organised, and have a psychology background. Listening is one of my favourite aspects of building relationships, and I’m always eager to help.

Creating a good relationship with my couples is crucial to me. I need to know their story and background. This helps me remain faithful to their personalities and provide honest, true portraits rather than imposing any preconceived structure.

It’s always pleasant to work in a positive environment where everyone is united in celebrating the couple’s love and creating a day of pure joy. Let’s leave out the anxieties about timing, appearance, and the myriad worries that society can impose. For this reason, I always request a positive working environment without rush or drama.

In my studio, I have a darkroom where I develop and work on every event I photograph. It’s my sanctuary—the place where I spend most of my time working on projects.

I prefer not to send my rolls to an external lab; every part of the process must align with my personality and tastes.

Consider it a slow approach to photography. I’m a thoughtful, calm, kind person who carefully considers his words and prefers to stay behind the scenes. I enjoy good discussions, walking, and reflecting on the world. I appreciate old things from a time when items were built to last and consumerism wasn’t prevalent.

Choosing to work with film is a natural extension of my lifestyle. Through film, we take a step back and place greater value on concentration, observation, slow living, and the recognition of emotions and sensations. It’s a deliberate, unhurried approach—the only way it could be for me.